After a long winter and with the spring equinox right around the corner, the first signs of spring are already popping up in the Slovenian Alps.

The mid-March is technically still winter in the Slovenian Alps, but spring is on the horizon! (photo: Deja Jakopic, Malaposastmici)

Named after River Mura, the Prekmurje region lies in the northeastern part of Slovenia. Most visitors come here to explore the extraordinary countryside, or to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine.

This is not Tuscany in Italy, it’s the Prekmurje region in the far northeastern corner of Slovenia in the beginning of March. (photo: Gregor Koprivc)

Sunik Watery Grove, or Sunikov Vodni Gaj as it is called in Slovene, is a hidden gem in the Triglav National Park. It can be found in the Lepena Valley in the middle of an unspoiled nature, very few tourists get to visit this beautiful place. Several small waterfalls and pools create this amazing natural wonder. The water is crystal clear. There are paths and a couple of footbridges, but otherwise very natural. Further along, the road that leads through the Lepena Valley stops and footpaths lead into the mountains.

Several small waterfalls and pools create this amazing natural wonder that is also well worth visiting in the winter months. (photo: Nina Lozej)

To catch a classic view of Lake Bled, for that postcard-worthy Instagram post, the Mala Osojnica viewpoint hike will take you to the best Lake Bled viewpoint. This remarkable lookout offers sweeping views of the lake, the world-famous church on the tiny island, the medieval clifftop castle, and the mountains of the Slovenian Alps. This is one incredible, fairly easy, and very rewarding hike that you should not miss while travelling in Slovenia in the winter months.

Mala Osojnica offers one of the most iconic views of Lake Bled with the Karavanke mountain range in the background. (photo: Martin Mohar, martxiin)

Mala Osojnica Viewpoint provides amazing winter views of Lake Bled. (photo: Martin Mohar, martxiin)

With many of the summer activities closed, the crowds of people gone, and the snow-covered landscape, visiting Lake Bohinj in the winter is a unique and peaceful experience!

Commonly visited during summers, exploring Lake Bohinj in the winter is a calm and tranquil experience. (photo: David Hriberski)

Although most choose to visit Lake Bohinj in spring or summer, the fairytale landscape of the lake in winter is a must see. (photo: David Hriberski)

If you visit the lake in the winter there’s a good chance that you won’t encounter another soul on the trail. (photo: David Hriberski)

Interestingly, despite the most freezing temperatures and harsh and cold winters in the Alpine area of northwestern Slovenia, Lake Zelenci never freezes. It has a constant temperature throughout the year of 6°C. If you look carefully into the lake you will notice tiny bubbling ‘volcanoes’. These are a unique natural phenomenon in Slovenia. The lake is part of the Zelenci Nature Reserve, a wetland area in the far northwestern corner of Slovenia, near the village of Kranjska Gora. It is surrounded by several peaks of the Julian Alps. A visit to this area will easily make you see why it has been protected as a Nature Reserve since 1992. The area is approximately 15 hectares in total. It is possible to walk around the reserve in about 30 minutes.

Aerial view of the Zelenci Nature Reserve. (photo: Nikola Petkovic, Nixigraphy)

Surrounded by the vast peaks of the Julian Alps, Zelenci is famous for its small boardwalk and observation tower with views over the crystal clear green spring waters of the wetlands, and the limestone peaks of the Ponce mountain range. (photo: Jerneja Bergoc)

Lake Zelenci never freezes, no matter how cold it gets during brutal winters in northwestern Slovenia. (photo: Jerneja Bergoc)

If you loved making snowmen and snow angels as a kid, or if you sneak outside early in the morning after a fresh snowfall to take in the peaceful silence, or if you get excited at the first thought of a powder day, Jezersko in the winter is for you. The magic of the season can be found all across this beautiful valley, situated in the heart of the Kamnik Savinja Alps in northern Slovenia, close to the border with Austria.

With powdery snow and plenty of things to do, Jezersko makes the perfect winter destination. (photo: Rok Ojstersek)

It’s amazing how magical this scenic valley in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps looks on a starry winter’s night. (photo: Drejc Karnicar, Senkova Domacija)

If you’re visiting Jezersko during the winter, don’t miss an amazing opportunity to see the picturesque Plansar Lake in its winter beauty.

Plansar Lake in the winter is truly spectacular, there is so much snow and it’s so quiet compared to the crazy summer months. (photo: Tjasa Muravec)

It is a treat to see Lake Plansar in its winter setting. (photo: Nejc Silar)

Walking around the lake in winter is a serene and romantic experience. All that surrounds you is nature and stillness. (photo: Irena Dravinec)

Pokljuka gets lots of snow every winter and depths of more than one metre or more are common. The best time to visit Pokljuka is from December to March.

Pokljuka is the place to be for snow lovers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country and for tourists too. (photo: Matej Stegar)

Snow-wise, the best times to visit Pokljuka are during the months of December, January and February. (photo: Matej Stegar)

When the sun is shining and the powder is fresh, Pokljuka is the place to be for snow lovers and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. (photo: Matej Stegar)

At Travel Slovenia, we’re always on the lookout for exciting places to experience the winter and few places in Slovenia deserve to be referred to as a Winter Wonderland in quite the same way as Velika Planina does. You simply must visit it at least once in your lifetime – or maybe twice, because Velika Planina in summer is also absolutely mesmerizing.

This unique Alpine settlement of 63 traditional herdsmen’s huts located at an elevation between 1,500 and 1,666 metres has been transformed into a true Winter Wonderland thanks to recent snowfalls and freezing temperatures. (photo: Jerneja Bergoc)

Velika Planina is a stunning and naturally pure Winter Wonderland. (photo: Jerneja Bergoc)